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\nColin O’Riordan in action for Tipperary in the 2020 All-Ireland semi-final<\/p>\n
Former Tipperary footballer Colin O’Riordan has been appointed as the new AFLW Senior Coach of the Sydney Swans, in the process making history as the first Irish coach of an AFL or AFLW franchise.<\/p>\n
The 30-year old, who won an All-Ireland minor title and a Munster SFC title with Tipperary, had been initially recruited as a player by the Swans in 2015 before being forced into retirement in 2022 due to chronic hip injuries.<\/p>\n
Since then, O’Riordan has remained at the Swans in various coaching roles, including head coach of the QBE Sydney Swans U\/18 male academy and AFLW assistant coach.<\/p>\n
He has now stepped up to become the senior coach of the Swans AFLW side, the first Irish coach to be entrusted with such a position in Australian Rules.<\/p>\n
“Ever since I arrived at the Sydney Swans as a player I fell in love with the place, so to be trusted with the role as AFLW Senior Coach is a huge honour,” O’Riordan said.<\/p>\n
“I have a lot of faith in the current playing list and I think we have the foundations of a successful team.”<\/p>\n
\nColin O’Riordan in action for Tipperary in the 2020 All-Ireland semi-final<\/p>\n
O’Riordan, from Templemore, had initially broken through as one of the stars of a much-vaunted generation of Tipperary footballers, starting at wing-back on the All-Ireland minor winning side of 2011 when still a 15-year-old.<\/p>\n
He subsequently captained the Premier Under-21 team in 2015 when the lost the All-Ireland final to Tyrone in contentious fashion. Later that year, he signed a rookie contract with the Swans, missing Tipperary’s run to the All-Ireland semi-final the following season.<\/p>\n
However, his story with Tipperary wasn’t finished, his AFL employers allowing him to return to play in the Munster final in November 2020. O’Riordan started at midfield as Tipp claimed a first Munster crown in 85 years in P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Chaoimh.<\/p>\n
“Given it your all for the sake of Tipperary – I can’t put it into words – it’s the best feeling” @TipperaryGAA<\/a> AFL star Colin O’Riordan on a great day for the Premier County #rtegaa<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SwxpRjD198<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) November 22, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n O’Riordan made 34 AFL appearances during his seven-year playing career with the Swans, which was often blighted by injury.<\/p>\n The Swans finished ninth in the 2025 AFLW season, narrowly missing out on the finals series, after which coach Scott Gowans resigned. <\/p>\n